The German 4×6 km mixed relay missed out on the medal they hoped for at the start of the 2024 Biathlon World Cup in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) in the absence of model athlete Benedikt Doll.
The quartet, consisting of Strelow, Nawrath, Preuß and Voigt, ended up in fifth place despite a promising start and missed out on a German medal in the mixed relay for the first time since 2019.
The German team’s deficit (1 penalty + 9 spares) ended up being 1:30.9 minutes. Germany had not been able to meet expectations when they finished sixth at the home World Cup last year and fifth at the Olympics.
“I’m really sorry for the other three. It’s a huge shame,” said a visibly upset Preuß on “ARD”, who ultimately gave away a possible medal with her penalty loop in the standing position.
France became world champion with Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Julia Simon (1+9) ahead of the series winners from Norway, who had previously won mixed gold four times in a row (0+8/+45.2 seconds). and Sweden (0+10/+1:01.7).
Brutally strong nerves: Simon shoots France to mixed gold
Strelow and Nawrath get off to a brilliant start
“This is of course bitter from a German perspective. There would have been more,” said Eurosport expert Michael Rösch.
In fact, thanks to starting runner Strelow, Germany started like a fire department in the rainy conditions and handed over to Nawrath in second place behind the Frenchman Eric Perrot without a spare.
The 30-year-old was initially in no way inferior to his teammate, shot the zero lying down and put the DSV quartet in the front. In the standing stage, however, Nawrath used three spare rounds, which is why the competition was able to reduce the gap.
Philipp Nawrath (Germany) at the Biathlon World Championships
Photo credit: Getty Images
Preuss has to go into the penalty loop
“That was perhaps a bit too aggressive,” analyzed Rösch. Nevertheless, Nawrath handed over to Preuß as the leader. The 29-year-old, who recently had to struggle with gastrointestinal problems, had a thrilling duel with Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.
However, both had difficulty shooting prone. Preuss needed all three spares, but was able to avoid the penalty. In contrast to Braisaz-Bouchet, who had to go into the round once. However, in the standing stage, Preuss showed nerves again and also had to go into the penalty loop once. To make matters worse, she also fell while running out of the shooting range.
“No no!” Preuß shoots the DSV team out of the medal race
“Somehow the lactate shot into me. I was tense when I ran into the shooting range. I tried to use the positive energy and see it as an honor to be the first to run in. My thighs were just shaking. Also “I had a hard time on the lap,” explained Preuß on “ARD”.
In fifth place, Preuß finally handed over to Voigt. The last runner showed no weakness at all while lying down (zero spares), but was unable to significantly reduce the gap to her competitors, who were also strong shooters.
Simon leads France to the World Cup title
At the front, the French Julia Simon was now circling alone, showed no nerves at all even when standing, and thus secured France its first gold medal at the 2024 World Championships in Nove Mesto.
“The team performance was top notch today, I had great skis. Justine (Braisaz-Bouchet; Note d. Red.) was very strong and had to go into the penalty loop once, but she got rid of it again in the standing stage, so in the end I just had to finish the job. We are overjoyed,” said Simon Eurosport microphone.
Silver went to Norway and World Cup dominator Johannes Thingnes Bö ahead of the Swedish team, which narrowly relegated Switzerland to fourth place. Behind her, Voigt, who also remained flawless while standing, crossed the finish line in fifth place. “I took a risk at the shooting range because I knew it was about a medal,” said Voigt on “ARD”.
The French quartet celebrates mixed gold
Photo credit: Getty Images
Snow conditions make life difficult for athletes
A big issue in the run-up to the World Cup was the weather conditions, which were anything but easy on Wednesday. Significantly plus temperatures, pouring rain and changing wind conditions didn’t exactly make it easy for the athletes.
“It was a very strange race in difficult conditions. Some sections were very complicated. On the other hand, the conditions at the shooting range weren’t that bad,” emphasized Dorothea Wierer Eurosportwhich only ended up in tenth place with Italy.
“The snow conditions were a bit difficult, but we had perfect material,” said French world champion Fillon Maillet happily.
Rapid fire in 19 seconds! Strelow gets off to a brilliant start
France wins mixed gold – close fight for bronze
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